Charles Town finds new city manager

May 16, 2014

David Mills, who will begin in his new position June 1, currently serves as the economic development director for the city of Ranson. He has spent 16 years in that role.

"Personally, I feel (Mills) met all the requirements we had," said Peggy Smith, mayor of Charles Town. "He has lots of experience with the city of Ranson and an extensive planning background. I'm very pleased."

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David Mills.

Smith said Mills was chosen by a selection committee, made up of a personnel committee, herself and the chief of police, who she said works closely with the city manager.

According to Smith 37 applicants, some from outside West Virginia, applied for the position.

"Our goal was to have the new city manager in the office by June. The selection committee kept narrowing it down to the top five candidates, then the top three," Smith said.

She said the selection was made at a special meeting of the Charles Town City Council on Wednesday evening, where it was decided to go forward with the contract to hire Mills.

Mills will fill the vacant city manager position in Charles Town, which was left by Joe Cosentini upon his departure in February. Cosentini left to work as a town administrator in Thompson's Station, Tennessee.

Smith said Mills' experience in Jefferson County was another factor that made him a desirable candidate for the city manager position.

"That's the best part about getting someone local - he can pick up where Joe (Cosentini) left off," Smith said. "If someone's from out of state, they have to learn about the community first. (Mills) knows all the key players in the state, and he can just keep the ball rolling."